Richard s



H. S. BRYANT.

am fon vsnmtf wams. AHLWAI'IBI ILED Atl. 25| Illl.

1,322,529. Patented Nov. 25, 1919.

2 ausm-:urn l.

mais:

` dan- Y. S. BRYANT.

l 4RIM FOR VEHICLE WHEELS.

APPLICATION msn Amzsfsiz.

Patented Nov. 25, 1919.

2 SHEETS-SHEE 2Y FIL-nj .l fUNITED STATES OFFICE.

RICHARD s. BRYANT, or CLEVELAND'. omo, Assrenoa,y BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, To Tnx'. STANDARD PARTS COMPANY. or CLEVELAND, oHIo, A CoaPoRATIoN or omo.

TuialZ wham it may concern:

iBeait lnown that I, RICHARD S. BRYANT, .residing at Cleveland. in the county'of Cuyahoga and State of Ohio, h' ve invented a 4certain new and useful Improvement in 'Rims for Vehicle-ll'heels, of which the following is a full. clear. and exact description,-` reference being had to the accom- =pan v 'ing drawings.

T-his invention relates to vehicle wheels and has for its object the provision of a rim which can be manipulated so as to permit the rapid and easy application of a tire thereto or its removal therefrom; lue provision of a demountable rim which may be collapsed, after removal `from the felly with which it is operatively associated, in

' ings, Figure 1 represents the sideielevation` a inore'lconvenient. and expeditious manner than has been possible with hither-to known devices; the provision of a rim having a removable segmental portion which can readily be displaced so as to permit the contraction of the rim and the freeing of the tire; the provision of new and improved securing means whereby the removable sections may be retained in place during the use of the rim; the provision of means for relieving the tension upon the rim so as to facilitate its contraction; the prcvision of a new and improved tool for drawing and `holding the rim to contracted position; while further objects and advantages of my invention will be made manifest in the course of the following description and claims,

In the drawings accompanying and forming 'part of this a plication I have disclosed the preferred em odiment of my invention in connection with a rim' of theA clencher type. whereby I mean that type having latorally' inturned flanges at its sides adapted vto, hook over the beads or flanges formed at the sides of the tires, although .it will be lobvious that my improvements will operate as' successfully with rims having straight flanges atthe sides adaptedforthe"recep -tion of straight wall tires, In these drawiofian automobile wheel equipped with a. rim

1Vmade in accordance with my invention; Fig. fniis an. edge view of a 4portiomof a rim A"scontatiningfmy.iminovements; Fig. is' a perspective view o a portion of the interior of. my improved rim illustrating thesame with the tire secured thereto and with'the Specication of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 25, 1919.

Application led April 25, 1912. Serial No. 693,677.

parts arranged for application to the wheel felly; Fig. 4 is a similar view showing the position occupied by the parts when the rim is contracted, the contracting tool being also illustrated; Fig. 5 is a cross sectional view of the parts taken upon the broken line 5-5 of Fig. 3; Fig. 6. a detail cross sectional view taken longitudinally through the middle of the rim and spring catch; and Fig. 7 is a cross sectional view illustrating my improved rim in combination with a second expedient for reinovablv securing the saine to the fellv band and also showing the method of relieving the rim so as to facilitate its contraction.

Describing the parts by reference characters, l represents the felly of a wheel which is of the usual wood construction and 2 the annular metallic felly-band which is securely shrunk thereon so as to bind the parts of the wheel securely together as in the usual ractice Secured varound the periph-` ery o this felly-band in any convenient manner is a demountable rim 4, here shown as having. integral inturned flanges 5-5 at its sides adapted to engage the sides of the clencher tire 6 in the usual manner. The preferred expedient for securing this rim in place comprises wedge blocks 7 ser. ired to the inner face of the rim and co erating with complementary wedge bloc s secured to the exterior of the felly band, the blocks on the rim being engaged by suitable clamps 8 carried by the felly whereby they are shifted into place and securely held against displacement, this expedient being more fllydisclosed and claimed iny my copending application Ser. No. 693,080. now

' features of construction 4of the demountable rimitself. although it is necessary that the rim be removable from .thefelly in some manner. I have accordingly illustrated in Fig. 7. a rim made in accordance with` my invention secured to the telly by means of an expedient well known and widely used in the art. In this embodiment the rim is shown at 4, the folly at 1, and. the felly band at 2, said felly band having at one side the outwardly Haring integral flange 10 adapted to fit closely against one of the curving sides of the rim. The opposite sigle of the felly band is fiat and parallel to the axis of the wheel. rThe rim is secured in place by means of spaced wedge blocks 11 having dcpendin apertured cars 12 for the reception vof lbo ts 13, the wedges being driven holne by nuts 14. In this modification the blocks (i are omitted, and the rim is reversible, driving,r being ctl'eeted by means of the usual intel-fitting blocks (not shown) secured to thc rim and telly bami respectively. It will he noted that both of these constructions provide annular spaces between the rim and the fclly band. n niyh spaces are important to my invention.

Referring to Figs. 2, 3 and l, it will be seen that the riin of my invention comprises a metallic channel men'iber or band formed into a nearly circular form and having its adjacent ends spaced apart as at 15, 1G. The space between these ends is filled by means of a removable segmental portion formed of two sections 17 and 18 which meet at 19 upon a line substantially parallel with the plane of the rim. The ends of these sections conform quite closely to the ends of the channel member and their collective cross section is substantially the same as that of the rest of the rim. It will be obvious that this construction may be effected either by first forminglthe rim as a complete circle and afterward removing these sections by sawing,lr or shearimgr or by forming the se\ eral parts separately and afterward assembling them, although I esteem the former method as more advantageous.

In order to secure the .adjacent ends of the channel member in fixed relation relative to eachother so as to prevent lateral or radial movement thereof and to withstand the expansive stress caused by the mounting of the rim upon the felly, and also' to secure the removable sections in their proper location, I provide tie plates or tension bars secured both to the ends of the channel member and to the sections 17, 18. The method bywhich this securing will be effected must comprise detachable connections at some points, and may or may not comprise permanent connections at other points, it being merely necessar to my device that the scetions 17 and 18 e capable of such releasing as to permit of their being removed or swung outwardly in a direction substantially normal to the plane of the rim, so as to permit the channel member to be contracted and thus facilitate the removal or replacement of the tire. It is apparent that the sidewise movement of these sections will moetl with a minimum of opposition from the tire itself, and will also remove them completely 'from the path of movement of the. ends ot' the channel member.

The form and method of attacliment of these bars or members may vary very widely Within thc scopo ot' my invention, the construction disclosed herein being but one olE many which may be adopted to the end in view. In this cml'iodiment a pair of twin tension bars 2l, 21 are provided, having their ends pivoted to fixed studs 22, 22 carried by thc inner face ot' the channel member adjacent to one of the free ends thereof. lhe other ends of thcsc bars are rabbeted :1t their outer edges as at 23 so as to lie bctwccn the. arms 24, 24 of a U Shaped cleVlS or catch member L15. This member is preferably formed with a slot 2U transverse io thc median lino ol' the rim 'which` delines a prismatic hinge portion 2T. This prismatic portion is then confined beneath the. free end of a leaf-spring clip 2S which is rigidly secured to the. inner face. of the channel member at the end opposite to the .studs 22, 22. This method of mounting serves to hold the clevis yielding'ly in securing position or to return it to such position when removed but a short distance therefrom. If, however, the elevis he displaced a greater"amount it will be retained in this position as indicated in dotted lines in Fig'. 6. The arms 24, 24 are beveled or undercut on their outer sides as shown at 29 so as to facilitate the displacement of the same, and the free ends of the bars Q1, 21 are similarly beveled as at 3() for a purpose to be described later.

The. inner edgle o'l each of the bars 21, is formed 'with a. notch 32 registering with a. similar notch formed in thcadjacent edge of the other bar. These notches are `so spaced from the ends of the bars as to lie within the ends of the channel, member (see Fig. 3) and the bottoms ot' said notches are beveled or dove tailed at 33 similarly to the portion 30, see Fig. 5). Rigidly secured to the inner race of the channel member adjacent to each of its ends is a block 35, each of said blocks being so located as to be received in one pair of notches 32, and' so shaped as substantially to fit and fill the same. The block which lies nearer to the pivot studs 22 preferabl has its rearward side formed upon a brolilen line, each. half thereof.'I beingsubstantially tangent to the circle drawn around the adjacent pivot. The notches are similarly shaped, tlns construc tion being adopted for the purpose of Jermitting the free swinging of the bars w ile maintainingl the outward Wedging action due to longitudinal strain at the lowest possible point. The forward faces of the blocks are preferably square so that the stress will be normal thereto. Both blocks are usually made of the same shape in order to decrease isapae This result can be attained either by displacing the bars `laterally while splitting the sections at the center, by splitting the sections asymmetrically' While keeping the bars central, or by splitting the sections symmetrically while making one bai; wider than the other. The -last method is less desirable since it unnecessarily increases the number Y of different shaped parts am', of dies, the

the valve stem is rst method is Vimp'racticable in some cases because of the obstruction to the reversal of the rim, but the second method is tree from all objections. The end of the channel member nearest to the pivot studs is prefers. ly rounded as shown in Fig. 2 so that each side will substantially coincide with the arc. of the circle draw-n about the adjacent stud. The other end of the member can be formed to any preferred shape, provided that it be not undercut, since this would prevent the swinging of the members. The hole 38 for referably formed in the channel member a' jacent to the sections 17, 18 since the obstruction to the manipulation of the tire will lthen be least.

For manipulating the rim I provide the tool illustrated 'in Fig. i. This tool consists of a pair of intersecting members 40.40 pivoted on a rivet -Ll at their point of intersection, the forward ends thereof being bent as at 42 and provided with notches 43 to t the blocks 35. The notches are preferably of the same shape so as to permit reversal of the tool, 'notwithstanding the fact that the blocks are 'not symmetrical.

The handles of the members are provided with a link 44.- whereby they may be held together.

Heretot'ore the contraction of the rim has been very difficult because of the stiffness of the lateral langes thereon, and to overcome this defect I preferably severithese flanges by one or more narrow saw scarfs 50 at a point substantially opposite the segments v18 and 19. thus jrelieving in large part the opposition of the rim to constriction without materiallxv weakening the same for normal use.

The operation of the device is as follows z-T he rim and tire being removed from the wheel as shown in Fig. 3. a suitable tool is inserted beneath the beveled sides Q9 of the clevis 25 so as to pry the same mnwardly.` after which a tool is inserted between the beveled ends 30 of the bars Q1 so as to pry the same apart.` This operation meets with no resistance from the tire (excepting such small opposition as may flow from the adhesion of the rubber to the metal) and the segments 1T and 1S are easily opened out to the position shown in Fig. la The free ends of the channel member may now be brought together soas to decrease the diameter of the Same and facilitate the removal of the tire in an obvious manner, while the bars 21, 21 project laterally so near the valve stem that the tire may be moved as much as desired without interference Vfrom this source. The application of the tire to the rim is effected while the channel member is contracted, the valve stem being first inserted into the aperture and the remainder of the shoe being then worked into position in the usual manner. The contracting tool isthen removed and the clevis :25 closed, after which the bars :21, 21 are swung toward each other. The wedge shape of the segments causes the free ends of the channel member to be forced apart therequisite distance, the clevis :25 displacedA by the action of the inclined portions 30 and '29, until the bars 21, 21 have reached their most' inward position whereupon they are locked by the forward movement of the clevis. The engagement of the inclined sides of the blocks 35 with the similarly inclined sides of the notches 32 holds the ends of the channel member against radial movement, while the engagement of the ends of these blocks with the ends of the notches withstands the expansive stress caused by the forcing of the rim onto the felly.

When the rim is to be mounted on the telly, the valve stem is first inserted through its usual aperture. this movement also serving to introduce the bars 21, 21 between the side ianges 9 of the felly in case a felly band of the shape shown in Fig. 5 be employed. or to position the same alongside the flange 10 in case such a band as shown in Fig. 7 be used. The inclusion of these members in the narrow space thus provided absolutely prevents the opening of the members '2l-2l even if the clevis should fail or be omitted. Likewise the proximity otl the clevis to the face of the folly band prevents its opening even though the spring 28 should fail `or break. lVhile I have necessarily described Iny invention in detail and pointed out the most preferable construction that I now contemplate, it is obvious that many changes in such details may be made without departing from the scope of my inventive idea. So far as I am aware no person has ever heretofore produced a rim having segments removable therefrom in a lateral direction so as to permit the contraction of the remainder of the rim. and I conceive any construction whereby this result is attained to be Within the scope of my invention irrespective of the particular manner of manipulating said sections or of securing them in place. It is also obvious that while tension means of some nature are necessary for the connection ot' the free ends of the channel member. the shape, and mode of attachment ol these members is susceptible ot' great variation withoutdeparting from the spiritfot' my invention. Furthermore, although this construction is susceptible of easier manipulation in connection with a tire ot' the clencher type than any other known expedient whereby the contraction of the rim body away from the tire permitted, by reason of the fact that the motion ot the parts is not opposed by any projecting portion ol the tire, it is obvious that the device could be employed with tiresI of other types with equal facility. I have chosen for illustration a rim ot the elencher type, bc.- cause this construction illustrates in the most emphatic degree the advantages ot my construction.

llaving thus described my invention, what l claim is:-- A

l. rim for vehicle wheels comprising a discontinuous annular laterally llauged member adapted to receive and seat a tire; and a segmental section adapted to be interposed between the ends ot said member. said section and ends being formed for wedging engagement.

'3. A rim for vehicle wheels comprising a discontinuous annular laterally flanged member adapted to receive and seat a tire; and a segmental Section adapted to be interposed between the ends of said member. said section and ends being formed for lateral wedging engagement.

.3. A rim for vehicle wheels comprising a discontinuous ammlar laterally flanged member adapted to receive and seat a tire; and two segmental sections, complementary to each other. adapted to be interposed between the ends ot' said member, said sections and ends being formed for wedging engagement.

4. A tiresupporting rim for vehicle wheels comprising a discontinuous annular member; and two segmental sections, complementary to each other, adapted to be interposed between the ends ot said member, said sections and ends being formed 'for lateral wedging engagement.

The Combination with a transversely split tire-supporting rim Jfor vehicle wheels; ot' a segmental section adapted t'o be interposed between the ends ol' said rim, said section being pivotally secured to one end of said rim, about a substantially radial axis, and being dctachably secured to the other end of said rim.

G. The combination with a` transversely split tire-supporting rim l'or vehicle wheels, of a segmental section adapted to be interposed between the ends of said rim; and a' member movable relatively to such ends and attached to said member so as to be movable therewith.

8. The combination with a transversely split tire-supporting rim `for vehicle wheels, ot' a segmental section adapted to be inter' posed between the ends ol' said rim, said sectionv and ends being formed for lateral wcdgiug engagement; and a member movable relatively to such ends and adapted to bridge the space between the same, said riinsection being attached tosaid member so as to be movable therewith.

l). 'lhe combination with a transversely split tire-supporting rim for vehicle wheels; ot a segmental section adapted to be interposed between the ends of said rim; and a. member pivotally secured to one end of said rim about a substantially adial axis, and being detachabl y secured to the other end of said rim, said ri1n-section being attached to said member so as to be carried thereby.

10. 'lhe combination with 'a transversely split tiresupporting rim t'or vehicle, wheels; ol' a segmental portion adapted to be interposed between the ends of said rim, said portion being split longitudinally of the rim into a plurality of sections and each such section being pivotally secured to one end, and detachably secured to the other end, of said rim.

1l. The combination with a transversely split tire-suplmrting rim for vehicle wheels; ot' a segmental portion adapted to be interposed betwccn the ends ot said rim, said poi-tion being split longitudinally of the rim into a plurality of sections; and a plurality of members movable relatively to such ends and adapted to bridge the space between the same, said sections being attached to said members, so as to be movable therewith.

l2. The combination with a transversely split tire-supporting rim lor vehicle wheels; ot a segmental portion adapted to be interposed between the ends of said rim, said portion being split longitudinally otl the rim into a plurality ot' sections, and`said sections and rim-ends being formed for wcdging engi'igenient; and a plurality of members movable relatively to such ends and adapted to bridge the space between the same, said sections being attached to said members, so as to be movable tlierewith.

13. The combination with a transversely split tilesupporting rim for vehicle wheels;

of a segmental portion ada ted to be interposed between the ends o said rim, said portion being split longitudinally ot the rim into a plurality of sections, and said sections and rim-ends being `formed for lateral wedging engagement; and a plurality of members movable relatively to such ends and adapted to bridge the space between the same, said sections being attached to said members, so as to be movable therewith.

14. The combination with a transversely s lit tire-supporting rim for vehicle wheels; o a segmental ortion adapted to be interposed between t e ends of said rim, said portion being split longitudinally of the rim into a plurality of sections; and a plurality of members respectively ivotally secured to one end, and detaehablgr secured to the other end of said rim, said sections being l"attached to said members so as to be carried thereby.

15. The combination with a transversely split tire-supporting rim for vehicle wheels; of a se ental section adapted to be interposed tween the ends of said rim, said section bein flared or widened from the centerline o? the 'rim toward the side thereof, so as to be removable in a lateral direction.'

16. The combination with a transversely split tire-supporting'rim for. vehicle wheels; of asegmental section adapted to be interposed between the ends of said rim, said section flared or widened from the center line of te rim toward the side thereof, so as to be removable in a lateral direction, and said section being pivotally secured to the one end and ldetachably secured to the other end, of said rim.

17. The combination with a transversely split tire-supporting rim for vehicle wheels; of a segmental portion adapted to be interposed between the ends of said rim, said portion being longitudinally `split into a plurality of sections respectively flared or widened from the center line of the rim toward the side thereof so as to be removable in a lateral direction; and members attached to said sections respectively. and detaehably connected to the free ends of said rim, said members being adapted to bridge the space between such rim ends and to secure said sections in alinement therewith.

A18. In a vehicle rim, the combination, with a channel member f 'lapted to embrace a felly band, the ends el. said channel member being spaced apart when the member is so positioned, of a removable segmental portion adapted to be interposed. between said spaced ends and to complete the circle defined by said channel member, said removable portion beinglongitudinally split into a plurality of laterally displaceable sections, a tension bar secured to the inner face of each of said. sections, and projecting beyond the ends thereof, abutment members carried bythe inner face of said channel member adjacent to the ends thereof, said tension bars being shaped to engage with said abutment members and hold said ,channel member against ex ansion, said abutment members being un er cut and said tension bars complementarily shaped to Vprevent radial expansion ofthe ends of said fchannel member, and means for securing` said tension bars in engagement with said abutment members. i e, Y

19. In a vehicle riin,;in` combination, a. curved channel membenada ted to embrace a Wheel felly and having, its ends spaced apart, a removable segmentalportion adapt` ed to be interposed between said ends to complete the circle defined by said Y,channel member, said removable kportion'beiifig split longitudinally into a pair-of laterally removable sections and the combined cross section of said removable sections being substantially the same as that of said channelmember, a tension bar ,secured to the inner face of each of said sections and projecting beyond the ends thereof, ,said tension bars being adapted to lie substantially parallel and adjacent to each other when said sections are in alinement with the ends of said channel member, and the adjacent edges of said tension bars being provided with notches beyond the ends of `said sections, abutment members carried by the inner face of said channel member adjacent to each of its ends and adapted to be engaged by said notches, and means carried by the inner face of said channel member /for detachably se curing said bars in engagement with said abutment members. Y

20. In a vehicle rimyin combination, a curved channel member adapted to embrace a wheel felly and having its` ends spaced apart, a removable segmental portion adapted to be interposed between said ends to complete the circle defined by said channel member, said removable portion bein Split longitudinally into a pair -of latera ly re movable sections and` the, combined cross fics section of said removable sections being substantially the same as, thatof said channel member, a. tension bar secured to theinner face of each of said sections and projecting be nd the ends thereof, saidtension bars eing adapted to lie substantially parallel and adjacent to each other when each of its ends and ada ted to baengaged by said notches, and latchl .means carried by the inner face of said n el member,

said latching means projecting portions adapted to engage said bars to secure the same in engagement with said abutment members.

z. In a vehicle rim, in con'lbination, a curve l channel member adapted to embrace a wheel felly and having its ends spaced apart, a removable segmental portion adapt ed to be interposed between said ends to complete the circle defined yby said channel member, said removable portion being split longitudinallyinto a.pair of laterally removable sections, the combined cross section whereof is substantially the-same as that of said channel member, a tension bar secured to the inner face of each of said sections and proj ecting,Ir beyond the ends thereof, said bars beingr pivoted to the inner surface of said channel member at one end and being adapt# ed to lie substantially parallel and adjacent to each other when said sections are in alinement with the ends of said channel member, and the adjacent edges of said tension bars being provided with notches beyond the ends of the said sections, an abutment member carried by the inner face of said channel member adjacent to each of its ends and adapted to be received by said notches, and means for securing together the free ends ol the said tension bars.

22. In a vehicle rim, in combination, a carved channel member adapted to embrace a wheel telly and having its ends spaced apart, a removable segmental portion adapted to be interposed.between said ends to complete the circle defined by said channel member. said removable portion beingr split longitudinally into a. pair of laterally r movable sections, the combined cross section. where-of is substantially the same as that ol1 said channel member, a tension bar secured to the inner face of each of said sections and projecting beyond the ends thereof, said bars being;r pivotcd to the inner surface oi said channel member at one end and being; adapted to lie substantially parallel .and ad'- jacent to each other when said sections are in alinement with the ends of said channel member and the adjacent edges oif said tension bars beingr provided. with notches bc- .vond the ends of the said sections, abutment members carried by the inner face ol" said channel member adjacent to each of its ends and adapted to be received by said notches, the side of the abutment member nearest to each pivot being formed substantially upon a tangent to the circle drawn about said pivot, and the corresponding' notch beimgr complementari? i shaped, and means carried by the imn'r :{"a=` of said channel member for detachably securing said bars in engagement with said abutment members.

23. In a vehicle rim, in combination, a curved channel member adapted to embrace a wheel felly and having its ends spaced apart, a removable segmental portion adapted to be vinterposml between said ends t0 complete the circle defined by saidcbannel member, said removable portion being split longitudinally into a. pair of laterally rcmovable sections,A and the combined cross section of said removable sections being substantially the same as that of said channel member, a tension bar secured to the inner face of each of said sections and projecting beyond the ends thereof, said tension bars being adapted to lie substantially parallel and adjacent to each other when said sections a-re in alinement with the ends of said channel member, and the adjacent edges of said tension bars being provided with notches beyond the ends of said sections, abutment members carried by the inner face of said channel member adjacent to each of its ends and adapted to be engaged by said notches, the sides of said abutment members being undercut and the sides of said notches being con'iplementarily shaped whereby radial movement of the ends of said channel member is prevented when said tension members are in engaged position, and means for securing said tension bars in engagement with said abutments.

2l. In a vehicle rim, in combina-tion, a

curved channel member adapted to embrace g5 a wheel telly and having its ends spaced apart, a removable segmental portion adapted to vbe interposed between said ends to complete the circle defined by said channel member, said removable portion being' split lon'- gitndinally into a pair of laterally removable sections and the combined cross section ol said removable sections `being substantially the same as that of said channel member, a tension bar secured to the. inner face of each of Said sections and projecting bevond the ends thereof, said tension bars beim*Y adapted to lie substantially parallel and adjacent to cach other when said sections are in alinement with the ends of said channel member, and the adjacent edges o1" said tension bars being provided with notches beyond the ends of said sections, abutment members carried by the inner tace ot' said channel member adjacent to each of its ends and adapted to be engaged by said notches, the sides of said abutment` members beine undercut and the sides of said notches being com])lementarily shaped whereby radial movement of the ends oiE said channel member is prevented when said tension members are in engaged position, one end of each of said tension members being pivotcd to said charme] member bevond the adjacent abutmentA member, and means engaging the other ends of said tension bars for maintaining them in engagement with said abutment members.

25. A device of the character described, comprising a, transversely split rim, a pair of complementary members pivotelly ettached to and projecting beyond one end of said rim, a projection on the other end of seid rim, said members being recessed on their juxtaposed edges to engage such .projection and thereby prevent eircm'nferential separation of such ends, and a, pivotal latch on such second rim-end, adapted in one position to engage said member and lock the same in place.

In testimony whereof, 1 hereunto ax my signature in the presence of two Witnesses.

RICHARD S. BRYANT. Witnesses HAROLD S. SMITH, J. B. HULL. 

